The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-07

court-maitial trials can be much reduced
II provision be made for minor olienses
without summoning court-martial, as
Indicated in the annual report OF 1886.
The Secretary renews the recommenda-
ton in regard to the enactment OF laws Tor
the punishment of civilian witnesses who
refuse 10 testify; for authority to secure
the assistance of civiansan police officers
in arresting and holding desertcrs, and Tor
revision OF the articles OF war, which have
remained substantially unaltered here,
while in England aud elsewhere military
codes have been modified in accordance
with the requirements OF modern times.
The Secretary hopes 20. submit for the
consideration of the proper committee OF
Congress drafts OF cnactmpnts dealing
with these amendments to the law The
Secretary also recommends legislation reg
uating and making uniform the punish
menis that may be inflicted by court-mar-
tials; definingthe application OF the statute
of limitation in eases uf deserters, and fix
inc the liability oi minors tomiitary jurs-
diction after enlistment The Secretary
quotes from the report OF The Judge advo-
cate general and indorscs his rccommcn-
dation that commissioned officers be al
lowed extra expenses incurred in the at
tendance in general courtmartial and re-
turning boards.
In reference TO the pay department OF
the army, the report Nsiys. "1hcrc is fire.
quent clashing OF authority between the
war and treasury departments in regard To
payments directed by the former, To the
great embarrassment OF the discussing Off
Ger, accounts are disallowcd. The disal-
)owancc OF payments made 10y and under
such authority works great hardships TO
the disbursing officer, rs on the one hand he
j. confronted with charge oi disubedicnce
OF orders and on the other, with assuming Il
liability for which either he or his surcies
will be held pccuniarily responsible. In
order 10 prevent this, | recommend that
the powers OF the respective departments
bc clearly defined by legislative act A
brief reference il made Ia the recommen-
da,ions Of the engineer bureau, relative Ia
the reconstruction Oi sea coast and lake
dcienses, and IL is said that there appears
10 be no reason for further delay in begin.
ming the important work OF ioriilying the
great harbos.
Little Is said ON the subject OF river and
hnrhor improvements, beyond the state.
mcnt that the report Of the chief OF en-
gneers sets forth the condition OF eaol
improvement aud the amount OF worn
performed during the last fiscal year.
Owing TO the failure OF the last river ant
harbor appropriation bill; there has beer
no money available for the asccrtainmcn
al the depth of water and width of chnnne
at the South pass OF The Mississippi river
and an appropriation for the ncccssar,
surveys Is urgently recommended.
COpious quotations arc made from thI
report oi the chief OF ordnance relative Il
the success OF domestic manufactures IL
producing high grade steel, and the ndvis
ability of increased appropriations for thu
supply Of ordnance. the experiments will
the dynamite torpedo gun, and those no,
in progress with shells charged with higl
explosives fired by means OF gunpoNdcr
In concluding his report the Sccrutir
SAWS "The result of the examinations To-
promotion under civil service regulations
which wcrc applied to the war department
In May, were satisfactory. The total mum
Der OF clerks examined was on, OF whom
9O3, or - per cent, passed, and OF tai
number so, or - per cent, obtained ai
average of ~ per cent; ~, or > per cent
failed Ia pass, their average being less thar
- per cent. | renew the rccommcnda
iions contained in my previous reports
and in those OF my predecessors, Tor th,
appointment of an assistant secretary ID
WA aud an assistant attorney general, I,
advise and assist In the legal and tcChnica
questions which daily uccur ] must ais
refer 10 former recommendations lur tli
reorganization of the force of this office
the estimate for which, II ~ hoped vii ~
cciye the favorable consideration OF Con
press